Man arrested for stealing tires from drug agent

Taylor J. Olsen remained at the Knox County Jail in Rockland Wednesday afternoon following his initial court appearance in Rockland District Court for stealing four large tires and rims from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office officer who is assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Justice William Brodrick set bail for Olsen at $500 cash as requested by Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Jones.

Olsen was originally pulled over on Saturday in Friendship for a seat belt violation, according to an affidavit filed in court by Maine State Police Trooper Scott Quintero. During that seat belt stop, Olsen told the trooper that he had some information about a drug case and he agreed to meet later in the day with the trooper about the matter. Olsen, however, failed to show for the meeting.

The following day, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agent reported the theft of four large tires and rims that had been on a vehicle in his driveway in Appleton.

Then on Tuesday, Trooper Quintero said while he was on patrol, he spotted Olsen and stopped him since the two had not yet connected about the drug case Olsen said he had information about.

It was then that the trooper noticed that Olsen had in the vehicle four tires that matched the description of the ones stolen from the MDEA agent. He questioned Olsen about it and the teen started crying and admitted he had been drinking when he stole the tires.

Olsen told the trooper that he took the tires to a garage in Waldoboro to be put on his vehicle but found they were too large. Olsen offered to return the tires. The rims had been left at the garage. When the trooper called the MDEA agent to inquire about the value of the tires, Olsen overheard him and informed the trooper that he had looked up the information and they were worth $2,300.

Olsen was arrested on a felony theft charge because the items stolen were worth more than $1,000.